REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON GARDENING. 131 



gans ; Pinus excelsa, of drooping cones and long weeping branches ; 

 P. Mugho ; P. nivea ; P. cemhra, of pale glaucous foliage ; Pinus 

 densiflora, a rare introduction ; Picea Nbrdmanniana, of cones 

 upright, and leaves flat and silvery ; P. Cephalonica, of long 

 branches, and rather tender in our climate ; P.^nchta; and a very 

 fine specimen of the Sciadopitys verticillata. 



A very remarkable variegated ailanthus, given Mr. Gray by Dr. 

 Hall of Bristol, R.I., stood at the end of a long path, yellow and 

 conspicuous, and certainly very curious. 



A tobacco-plantation appeared in good condition ; and the Caoi- 

 nabis gigantea looked well, as did also the Wlgandia Caracasana, 

 which is said to be beautiful Avhen feathered to the ground, and 

 covered with large lilac clusters of flowers. Of the ricinus, the two 

 best were It. sanguineus and H. Braziliensis. 



For bedding-plants, here, as in all good collections, were found 

 the variegated alyssum, the golden-feather {PyretJirum aureum), 

 Achyrcmthus Zindeni, the AlternMithera magnifica and versi- 

 color, the Lobelia 2nimila grandlflora, and Richard's seedling 

 gladioli. Masses of Coleus Verschaffeltii and Umperor Mqyoleon 

 were quite pleasing. 



The Centaurea Candida and C. gymnocarpa were very notice- 

 able. When associated with dark masses of foliage as border 

 plants or centres, they often produce, by contrast, striking effects. 

 If, as the name indicates and as table says, this plant cured the wound 

 of the centaur from the arrow of Hercules ; so perhaps, in the 

 present age, its silvery sheen may sometitnes draw the eye from 

 plantings distasteful, which might otherwise wound the tender sen- 

 sibilities. 



A few roses only had been cultivated during the present season ; 

 but preparations were making for an extensive display in coming 

 time. The assortment will probably soon exceed that which for- 

 merly graced the garden of Mr. Gray. 



The Committee have been thus particular in their details to 

 show with what untiring energy, taste, and regularity of plan, the 

 Hermitage has been so recently transformed. Mr. Gray is evidently 

 awake and studiously attentive to every thing that is done, giving 

 specific directions to his workmen, and keeping himself carefully 

 familiar with the names, quality, and wants of every plant, and re- 

 cording any peculiarities. In closing this report upon the place, 

 the Committee must be allowed to express their great obligations to 

 Mr. Gray for a visit so gratifying and instructive, and for an exam- 

 ple so useful to the community. For the highly agreeable mariner 



